Air conditioning apparatus



Jan. 24, 1950 c. SMlTH I AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CHARLES L. .S M/TH ATTORNEY c. L. SMITH AIR conbrrmmuc APPARATUS Jan. 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 25, 1946 INVENTOR. CHARLES L. $M/7H ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 24, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,495,351 AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Charles L. Smith, San Diego, Calif. 7 Application November 25, 1946, Serial No. 712,183

6 Claims.

My invention relates to paratus, more particularly for use with vehicles and First, to provide an airconditioning apparatus of this class in which refrigerated air is introduced into the operators compartment of a vehicle.

Second, to provide an airoonditioning apparatus of this class in which the evaporator coil is substantially frusto-conically shaped in surrounding relationship with a fan, whereby draft created by said fan efflclentl exchanges heat throughout the entire length of said coil providing a very efllcient refrigerant evaporator.

Third, to provide an ail-conditioning apparatus of this class which may be readily converted into a cabinet refrigerator.

in connection an airconditioning apv the objects of my invention are: 1

Fourth, to provide an airconditioning apparatus of this class which may be used either for cooling the interior of the operators compartment of the vehicle or for refrigerating foods and beverages therein as desired.

Fifth, to provide an airconditioning apparatus of this class which is readily installed in connection with the operating mechanism of a vehicle by means of detachable refrigerant tube couplings which automatically seal both ends of the tube being disconnected when removing the same and automatically connect said tubing in communicative relationship when said couplings are replaced.

Sixth, to provide an airconditioning apparatus of thk class incorporating novel refrigerant compressor operating mechanism.

Seventh, to provide an airconditioning apparatus of this class incorporating compressor mounting means adaptable to various models of vehicle engines.

Eighth, to provide an apparatus of this class in which the driving mechanism in connection with the compressor thereof, automatically changes the driving ratio thereof when the speed of the vehicle engine changes.

Ninth. to provide an airconditioning apparatus of this class which is very simple and economical in construction, eflicient in operation, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

with these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference bein had to the accompanyin characters of reference thereon forming'a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the evaporator unit of my airconditloning apparatus showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken from the line 3-3-of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a reduced side elevational view of the evaporator unit of my airconditioning apparatus showing a refrigerator cabinet placed in connection therewith illustrated in section; Fig. '5 is a fragmentary view of the shutter mechanism used in connection with the evaporator unit of my airconditioning apparatus; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the refrigerating mechanism of my airconditioning apparatus showing the connected relationship thereof with a conventional vehicle engine; Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the compressor of my airconditioning apparatus shown connected with the vehicle engine generator; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 8-8 of Fig. '7; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-9 of Fig. 7.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The casing l, evaporator coil 2, coil frame plates 3 and 4, motor 5, fan 6, screen I, shutters 8 and 9, shutter clips l0 and ll, hinge pin l2, spring l3, cabinet l4, drain tube l5, expansion valve l6, "Sylphon ll, couplings It, 20 and 2|, condenser 22, receiver 23, compressor 24, magnetic coupling 25, band 26, adapters 21 and 28, bolts 28, sheave plates 30, 3|, 32 and 33, centrifugal actuator 34, springs 35 and 38, and the belt 31 constitute the principal parts and portions of my airconditloning apparatus.

The casing l, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, is substantially frusto-conical in form and is preferably made of relatively thin material such as sheet metal or the like. This casing I at its large diameter end is secured to a base plate lb and the coil frame plates 3 and 4 are arranged in perpendicular radially disposed relation to each other, also in connected relation with the base plate lb. These coll frame plates 3 and 4 are provided with angularly disposed feet portions in and 4a respectively secured by the bolts 3b and 4b to said base plate lb all as'shown best in Fig. 1 of drawings. The casing l is pro- 'vided with inlet openings lc in the sidewall theredrawingsandtothess of in spaced relation with the base plate lb for admitting air into the 09.81118 I about the periphbe notedthat the coil frame plates 3 and 4 are provided with notch portions 30 and 4c respectively in which convolutions of the evaporator coil 2 are positioned. These coil frame plates 3 and 4 also support the motor 5 concentrically of the evaporator coil b means of angularly disposed clip portions 411 of the frame plate 4 in connection with the motor bolts 5a all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The small diameter end of the casing is provided with a screen I. arranged to provide an outlet air filter of the air draft created by the fan 6 operated by the motor 5. It will be noted that the casing I is provided with an annular bead Id surrounding the small diameter outlet end portion thereof to the inner side of which the screen I is secured. Engaging the outer of this annular bead Id are the shutter clips I0 and II. These shutter clips I I and II are arcuate members telescopically connected together and provided with engaging portions Illa and I la respectively arranged to fit over said bead Id in opposed relation to each other as shown best in Fig. 1' of the drawings. Secured to the shutter clip III is a bearing Ito and secured to the shutter clip II is a bearing llb. The hinge pin I2 extends through the bearings lb and II b and is provided with head portions I21: and |2b at its opposite ends. Intermediate the bearing portions Illb and Nb of the shutter clips I0 and II are hinge portions to and 8a of the shutters 8 and 9, through which the hinge pin I2 also extends. The spring I3 is interposed between the head portion I2a and the friction plate 8b, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings and is positioned around the hinge pin I2 tending to force the bearing portions Ito and Ila together in engagement with the annular bead Id of the casing I. It will be here noted that the hinge portions 811 and 3a of the shutters 8 and 9 are pivotally moveable about the axis of the hinge pin l2 as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the inlet end of the evaporator coil 2 is connected with the expansion valve I6 having a Sylphon provided with a bulb I'Ia secured in connection with the frostloop portion 2a near the opposite end of the evaporator coil. It will be noted that the inlet end of evaporator coil 2 is the small diameter end of the coil while the frostloop portion 2a is connected with the large diameter end of the coil 2. Connected to the inlet end of the coil 2 adjacent the expansion valve I6 is the coupling 23. This coupling 23 is a quickly removable coupling arranged to disconnect the tube intercommunicating with the evaporator coil and the receiver 23. It will be here noted that these couplings I3, and 2| are conventionalcouplings supplied by the Aeroquip Corporation, Jackson, Michigan, U. S. A. and are disclosed in Bulletin No. 107A published by said Aeroquip Corporation. Connected with the opposite end of the coil 2 near the frostloop portion 2a thereon is the coupling I9 which is similar in construction to the coupling and the coupling 2|. These couplings I3, 20 and 2| are conventional detachable couplings which effectively close the tubes connected thereby when removed whereby leakage is prevented, also air is prevented from being introduced into the tubes con- 4 nected by the couplings I3, 23 and 2|. The compressor 24 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is mounted on the conventional automobile generator A by means of the strap 23 which passes around said generator A and the magnetic coupling 25 in connection with said compressor 24. The adapters 21 and 28 are interposed be--- tween the conventional generator A and the housing of the magnetic coupling 25. The adapters 21 and 28 are adjustable relatively to .each other laterally of the axis of the generator and magnetic coupling 25 for adjustment of the belt 31 relatively to the sheave plates 30, 3|, 32 and 33. It will be noted that the bolt 23 passes through the band 23 and the adapter 21 and is screw-threaded into the adapter 28, whereby said adapter 28 may be forced toward the adapter 21 for extending the spaced relation of the axis of said generator A and the magnetic coupling 25 respectively. Connected with the shaft 25a of the magnetic coupling 25 are the sheave plates 32 and 33 which are moveable relatively to each other in connection with the shaft 25a. The spring 36 as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings tends to force the sheave plate 33 toward the sheave plate 32, restrained by the nut 251) on the shaft 25a. These sheave plates 32 and 33 are provided with inwardly beveled portions arranged to receive a conventional V-belt 31 as shown best in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. The belt 31 is shown in Figs. 7 and 9 of the drawings, also passes over the sheave plates and 3| mounted on the shaft A of the generator A and these sheave plates 30 and 3| are also adjustable relatively to each other longitudinally of the shaft A. The

spring as shown best in Fig. 9 of the drawings tends to force the sheave plate 30 towards the sheave plate 3| which is restrained by the' nut B on the shaft A. In connection with the sheave plate 30 is an extending cam portion 30a which extends through an opening 3Ia in the sheave plate 3| outwardly of the axis of the shaft A' on which the sheave plates 30 and 3| are mounted. Pivoted in connection with the sheave plate 3| on the pin 3| 1), in connection therewith, is the centrifugal actuator 34. This centrifugal actuator 34 is adapted to engage a stop 3Ic in connection with the sheave plate 3| and is arranged to engage the inclined surface 30b of the extension in connection with the sheave plate 30 in the opening 3Ia of the sheave plate 3|. The

- conventional automobile fan belt C as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings derives the conventional generator pulley D secured on the shaft A inwardly of the spring 35. A condenser 22 is a conventional refrigerant condenser communicating with the outlet of the compressor 24 and inter-connected therewith by means of the removable coupling 2| similar to the couplings I3 and 20 hereinbefore described. A receiver 23 is a conventional refrigerant receiver in communicative relation with the condenser 22. It will be here noted that this condenser 22 as shown diagrammatically js placed outside the air stream common to the radiator E and fan F of the vehicle engine. The electrical equipment shown in the diagrammatic view of Fig. 6 includes an electrical conductor 25c electrically connected with themagnetic coupling 25 and the thermostatic switch 25d having a Sylphon" sampling bulb 25g supmostatic switch 25d is electrically energized through the common ignition switch 251' of the motor vehicle. The electric motor 5 inwardly of the evaporator coil 2 is electrically connected with the output side of the thermostatic switch 23d and is provided with a rheostatic control id for regulating the operating speed of the fan 6 in connection with the motor 3.

The operation of m airconditioning apparatus is substantially as follows:

when my airconditioning apparatus is operating as a refrigerator for the interior of the operators compartment of a vehicle, the refrigerating unit as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings is placed in the operator's compartment and the couplings l9 and 20 are located forward of the dash G of the vehicle shown best in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The compressor 24 is operated in connection with the magnetic clutch 25 driven by the sheave plates 30, 3|, 32 and 33 together with the belt 31 as hereinbefore described. As the compressor 24 operates it supplies the condenser 22 with fluid under pressure which causes condensation thereof which is stored in the receiver 23. From the receiver 23 the condensate passes through the coupling 20 and expansion valve it into the small diameter end of the frusto-conical evaporator coil 2 in which the liquid is evaporated and which passes outwardly thereof through the frostloop 2a and back to the compressor 24. The capacity of the refrigerating mechanism as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings is insufficient to reduce the temperature of the frostloop to a degree which would cause the thermostatic switch d to de-energize the magnetic coupling 25 when the evaporator unit as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings is used as a refrigerator for cooling the operators compartment of a vehicle. In such use the fan 6 in connection with the motor 5 constantly aerates the evaporator coil 2 maintaining the temperature therein slightly above the Sylphon actuating temperature which would cause the magnetic clutch 25 to be de-energized by means of the Sylphon 25a in connection with the thermostatic switch 25d. However, when the cabinet 14, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, is in place about the casing 1-, temperature within the cabinet i4 intermittently reaches a low degree which causes operation of the thermostatic switch 25d in connection with the "Sylphon 25c on the frostloop 2a of the evaporator coil 2. when this thermostatic switch 25d is operated it deenergizes the magnetic clutch 25 which causes the operation of the compressor 24 to stop, thus, the temperature in the cabinet l4 raises until it reaches a certain degree and then the heat automatically shuts off by the discontinued operation of the compressor 24. Thus, it will be noted that the motor 5 ceases to operate the fan 6 when the temperature reaches a certain low degree sufficient to operate the Sylphon 25c for opening thermostatic switch 25d. During operation of the motor 5 the speed thereof may be regulated .by means of the rheostat 5d. After the vehicle in which my airconditioning apparatus has stopped for a certain length of time, the frost in connection with evaporator coil melts and the liquid therefrom drains outwardly of the casing I through the drain tube 15 which passes through the dash G as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. As shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the sheave plate in opposed relation to sheave plate 3| is provided with protrusions 30a extending through openings 3|a in the sheave plate 3|. The end portion of this protrusion 30a is beveled on a plane facing the axle A and this beveled surface is engageable with the centrifugal actuator 34 which is pivoted on the pin 3": in connection to the sheave plate 31. During rotation of the sheave plates 30, 3|, 32 and 33, centrifugal force tends to pivot the centrifugal actuator 34 outwardly toward the protrusion 300. at its inclined end portion 302: which is engaged b the centrifugal actuator 34 forcing the protrusion 30a axially of the shaft A, separating the sheave plate 33 from the sheave plate 3|, whereupon the belt 31 assumes a smaller diameter track between the sheave plates 30 and 3| permitting the spring 36 to force the sheave plates 32 and 33 together causing the belt 31 to travel on a larger diameter track intermediate the sheave plates 32 and 33. Thus, high speed operation of the vehicle engine automatically changes the speed ratio of the shafts A and 25a so that the compressor 24 is not driven at excessive speed. When the vehicle engine is operating at a slow or idling speed, the spring 35 in opposed related to the centrifugal actuator 34 acting on the beveled surface of the protrusion 30a forces the sheave plate 3|! toward the sheave plate 3| enlarging the track diameter of the belt 31 intermediate the sheave plates 30 and 3| whereby proportionate reduction in the track diameter of the belt 31 about the sheave plates 32 and 33 is accomplished, thus increased speed ratio of the compressor 24 is accomplished by changing the speed ratio between the shafts A and 25a. In operation, the speed at which the compressor 24 is driven remains substantially constant due to the automatic speed ratio change between shaft A and shaft 25a accomplished by the centrifugal actuator 34 bearing on the beveled end 30b of the protrusion 30a extending through the opening 3 la in the sheave plate 3|. When it is desirable to adjust the disposition of the sheave plates 30 and 3i relatively to the sheave plates 32 and 33, the adapters 21 and 28 may be shifted together or away from each other by adjustment of the bolt 29, whereupon the bolt 26a in connection with the band 26 is set up accordingly so that the compressor 24 together with the magnetic coupling 25 is maintained in certain position in connection with the generator A. It will be noted that axis of the shaft 25a may be rotated about the axis of the shaft A on the generator A to accommodate various features of various engines. It will be here noted that the motor 5 is provided with an air stream deflector 50 which deflects air driven by the fan outwardly toward the coil 2 evenly distributing said air over the entire frusto-conical outline of said coil 2.

It will be here noted that the centrifugal actuator 34 only has been described herein, however, the centrifugal actuator 33 is arranged in opposed relation to the centrifugal actuator 34 over the axis of the shaft A and is substantially of the same construction and operation as the centrifugal actuator 34.

In operation of the shutters 3 and 9 the friction plates to and to bear on opposite sides of the plate llc integral with the shutter clip II. The spring l3 maintains the plates 3b and 3b in frictional engagement with the plate ilc for holding the shutters 8 and 3 in the desired adjusted position.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope ofmy invention, the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Patent is: v

1. In an airconditioning apparatus of the class described the combination of the hollow tubular coil arranged in convolutions substantially irustoconical in arrangement and a fan internally oi said convolutions, said ian arranged to force air in a direction irom the large diameter convolutions toward the small diameter convolutions, a

irusto-conical casing surrounding said coil. a

drain tube in communicative relation with the lowermost portion of said casing.

2; In an airconditioning apparatus of the class described the combination of the hollow tubular coil arranged in convolutions substantially irustoconical in arrangement and a fan internally of said convolutions, said fan arranged to force air 1 in a direction from the large diameter convolutions toward the small diameter convolutions, a irusto-conical casing surrounding said coil, a drain tube in communicative relation with the lowermost portion of said casing, shutter means adjustably secured in connection with the reduced diameter outlet end of said casing.

'3. In an airconditioning apparatus 01' the class described a combination of an evaporator coil, a compressor, a condenser communicating with said compressor, a receiver communicating with described a combination with the generator of a 8 vehicle engine of a reirigerant compressor. spaced adapters intermediate said'generator and said compressor, and a tension strap surrounding said compressor and said generator for maintaining said compressor in connection with said generator.

- 5. In an airconditioning appara us or the claas described a combination with a generator or a vehicle engine of a refrigerant compressor, spaced adapters intermediate saidgenerator and said compressor, and a tension strap surrounding said compressor and said generator for maintaining said compressor in connection with said generator, an adjustment bolt arranged in screwthreaded relation with one of said adapters arranged to force said adapters together for adjusting the spaced relation of said compressor relatively to said generator.

-6. In an airconditioning apparatus of the class described the combination of the hollow tubular coil arranged in convolutions substantially trustoconical in arrangement, a fan internally of said convolutions, a motor for said fan and an outwardly directed annular deflector at one end 0! said motor adjacent said fan for directing air toward said coil.

CHARLES L. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

- UNITED STATES PATENTS Magee Aug. 29, 1944 

